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Minutes of theComputing Advisory CommitteeDecember 1, 1998 |
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Minutes of theComputing Advisory CommitteeDecember 1, 1998 |
Minutes of Computing Advisory Committee Meeting--December 1, 1998
Those attending: Al Allen, Ruth Bernhard, David Blakesley, J-P Dunn, Steve Etcheson, Ray Gering, Duke Koch, Dennis Leitner, Susan Logue (for Carolyn Snyder), Jackie Smith, Michael Wainer, Mary Wallace.
1) The meeting began with follow-ups to questions asked of Al Allen last meeting. Al stated that IT will continue to support token-ring topology. Further to the modifications to the SMTP software Al announced that after the modifications were made, the server was rejecting 35 to 30,000 e-mail messages per day from non-university addresses. He also announced the formation of a new listserv: IPALERT-L, which would announce impending changes to internet-based services on campus. It can be subscribed to in the usual way (sub italert-l Your Name, sent to listserv@siu.edu)
2) Al announced that an RFP had been sent to local ISP's asking for bids to operate a dial-up service at 56K in the local area for all faculty, staff and students. The intention is to charge a moderate amount, and it is expected that such a service would be up and running by the beginning of the Spring semester. In addition, before the end of this semester there should be a connection to a 40 meg internet pipe already located in the Student Center (belonging to the Illinois State Board of Education). This should increase our bandwidth threefold.
The updates to the Dr. Solomon virus package should be available on the FTP site shortly, and an updated version of the Saluki-ware CD-ROM with the latest version will also be available before the beginning of the Spring semester.
David Blakesley suggested that the CAC could serve as a clearing house for such things as installation instructions for the software being distributed by IT. Perhaps these kinds of worked out help files could be placed on the CAC website, or perhaps there could be a LAN administators website.
Geoff raised the issue of preloading sitelicenced software (such as Eudora) on all computers entering the campus through Purchasing. Such a procedure is used at other universities, including MIT. It was pointed out that the CD-ROM could fulfill this function, so perhaps a CD-ROM could be added to all computer orders.
Susan Logue presented a handout detailing problems that overloaded T1 lines are causing the Library's new internet catalog services, but noted that the new pipeline referred to above should alleviate some of those problems.
David Blakesley reported on research he had done on looking for Universities that lease their computers, but the leads, University of Iowa, University of Western Kentucky and U of I simply have deals for special prices with certain vendors, and, in some cases those deals are not as good as one can get by directly contacting the vendor. We will continue to look for universities that actually lease their computers.
Geoff presented new estimates on a three-year computer upgrade plan. It was pointed out that this plan does not include the cost of upgrading software, or other issues generally known as `total cost of ownership' (TCO). In addition, the costs of connecting previously unconnected faculty should include the cost of wiring.
Michael questioned the propriety of giving the newest computers to those who currently have none while those who have (barely) adequate computers must wait for the end of the renewal cycle. Mary suggested that perhaps some kind of `food chain' for computer replacement would be necessary. In addition, we need to think about whether we want to start supplying computers to teaching assistants. Steve said he believed the number of TA's on campus was around 800.
Geoff will attempt to draft a resolution on the question of computer upgrading and supplying computers to faculty without. He will circulate it to the committee before our next meeting.
The next meeting was scheduled for December 16 at 1, but will have to be rescheduled.
